Melinda Beatty
@melindabeatty.com
Writer, bookseller and crafter. Author of the Heartseeker duology, (Putnum) TELL THE TRUTH, PANGOLIN,(Anne Schwartz Books) THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE DAY, (Dial) THE WITCH'S TABLE, (Little Bee) WHAT IS A PIRATE? (Little Bee, Fall 2026)
Pinned
Melinda Beatty
@melindabeatty.com
· Jan 9
Hey Bluesky folks! I'm one of the weirdos that imported like, 11 years worth of tweet into this account, so if you're scrolling back and see something that makes you go, "OMG, read the room, lady" it's my sincere hope that it's ancient history in spite of the date.
This week’s chalkboards at @curiousiguana.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:48 AM
This week’s chalkboards at @curiousiguana.com
I...do not love this. newsroom.spotify.com/2026-02-05/b...
Spotify Partners With Bookshop.org and Debuts Page Match Feature to Bridge Physical, E-book, and Audio Formats — Spotify
Since bringing audiobooks to Spotify in 2022, we’ve helped listeners discover thousands of new favorite titles and authors while driving growth in the publishing industry. Today, we’re turning the pag...
newsroom.spotify.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:51 PM
I...do not love this. newsroom.spotify.com/2026-02-05/b...
Y'all, I'm so tired of having to fight with allies who can't grasp nuance. There is 0 way we survive all this if we play purity test games, because we will will all the stupidest prizes.
February 6, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Y'all, I'm so tired of having to fight with allies who can't grasp nuance. There is 0 way we survive all this if we play purity test games, because we will will all the stupidest prizes.
This is why every tyrant tries to put their boot on the neck of the humanities.
Ian McKellen performs “The Strangers’ Case” speech from “Sir Thomas More” on Colbert.
February 5, 2026 at 5:15 PM
This is why every tyrant tries to put their boot on the neck of the humanities.
Really enjoyed this short and sweet set of sapphic sci-fi murder mysteries by @oliviawaite.com!
February 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Really enjoyed this short and sweet set of sapphic sci-fi murder mysteries by @oliviawaite.com!
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
This isn't “parental choice.” It’s shelves emptied, stories erased & students cut off from ideas that help them learn, question & grow.
Every removed book is a reader who won't see themselves reflected & narrows the world a little more. FL students deserve libraries full of possibility, not fear.
Every removed book is a reader who won't see themselves reflected & narrows the world a little more. FL students deserve libraries full of possibility, not fear.
February 2, 2026 at 3:19 PM
This isn't “parental choice.” It’s shelves emptied, stories erased & students cut off from ideas that help them learn, question & grow.
Every removed book is a reader who won't see themselves reflected & narrows the world a little more. FL students deserve libraries full of possibility, not fear.
Every removed book is a reader who won't see themselves reflected & narrows the world a little more. FL students deserve libraries full of possibility, not fear.
What we AREN'T going to do is buy any new Neil Gaiman books. Ever.
February 2, 2026 at 10:41 PM
What we AREN'T going to do is buy any new Neil Gaiman books. Ever.
This should be shorthand for media criticism.
February 2, 2026 at 2:56 PM
This should be shorthand for media criticism.
This terrible tech has taken so much away from employees and end users--forcing us to become digital nomads, moving from platform to platform trying to stay out of its reach. I rely on this platform in so many ways and must now try to untangle my designs from it.
Pinterest CEO says in layoff email: "We’re doubling down on an AI-forward approach – prioritizing AI-focused roles, teams, and ways of working"
So it's time for me to move to another platform to save images
So it's time for me to move to another platform to save images
February 2, 2026 at 2:03 PM
This terrible tech has taken so much away from employees and end users--forcing us to become digital nomads, moving from platform to platform trying to stay out of its reach. I rely on this platform in so many ways and must now try to untangle my designs from it.
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
A recent cartoon for @newscientist.com.
p.s. my new book of science cartoons, ‘Physics for Cats’ is out now. Links at www.tomgauld.com
p.s. my new book of science cartoons, ‘Physics for Cats’ is out now. Links at www.tomgauld.com
January 31, 2026 at 10:38 AM
A recent cartoon for @newscientist.com.
p.s. my new book of science cartoons, ‘Physics for Cats’ is out now. Links at www.tomgauld.com
p.s. my new book of science cartoons, ‘Physics for Cats’ is out now. Links at www.tomgauld.com
A TV show you love with 3 seasons or less 📺
February 1, 2026 at 9:49 PM
A TV show you love with 3 seasons or less 📺
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
Islington today outside waterstones. I hope the rain didn't wash it all away.
February 1, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Islington today outside waterstones. I hope the rain didn't wash it all away.
As if Rowling's transphobia wasn't enough....
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
February 1, 2026 at 5:53 PM
As if Rowling's transphobia wasn't enough....
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
Publishing for Minnesota auction is now open!! There’s so may amazing items and you can even bid on a query and first 5 pages critique from me!
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Publishing for Minnesota auction is now open!! There’s so may amazing items and you can even bid on a query and first 5 pages critique from me!
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
www.32auctions.com/publishingfo...
This week's chalkboards at @curiousiguana.com books!
January 28, 2026 at 2:01 AM
This week's chalkboards at @curiousiguana.com books!
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
All I can say is personally I think it is no coincidence that my work seems to have slowed down as this has ramped up.
On top of the loss of income, there's also the price of living with grief that other creators don't have to, because they're not 'troublesome' to society.
On top of the loss of income, there's also the price of living with grief that other creators don't have to, because they're not 'troublesome' to society.
Authors and Illustrators Are Paying a Steep Price for Book Bans | PEN America
Authors and Illustrators Are Paying a Steep Price for Book Bans
"Book banning is also connected to a larger suspicion of public education, the defunding of which also impacts my ability to earn a living."
buff.ly
January 27, 2026 at 11:38 PM
All I can say is personally I think it is no coincidence that my work seems to have slowed down as this has ramped up.
On top of the loss of income, there's also the price of living with grief that other creators don't have to, because they're not 'troublesome' to society.
On top of the loss of income, there's also the price of living with grief that other creators don't have to, because they're not 'troublesome' to society.
No, we're NOT bringing this word back.
If I see you use this word, I'll block you. If you use it "satirically" I'll block you. Using it at all today is a really fine test of character.
I've had some of my books edited because I used it twenty years ago and I'm ashamed today of having used it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
I've had some of my books edited because I used it twenty years ago and I'm ashamed today of having used it.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/u...
The ‘R-Word’ Returns, Dismaying Those Who Fought to Oust It
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:47 PM
No, we're NOT bringing this word back.
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
I will go further and say that people using the "r"-word are hoping that bringing it back opens the door to bringing back the "n"-word, and is strongly correlated with the people who want to carve off trans rights as a stepping stone to claw back gay rights in general
I assume anyone who says this word is probably okay with the n-word, too. Or, more charitably, doesn’t understand why they shouldn’t say it just that saying it would get them in a lot of trouble.
January 27, 2026 at 2:35 PM
I will go further and say that people using the "r"-word are hoping that bringing it back opens the door to bringing back the "n"-word, and is strongly correlated with the people who want to carve off trans rights as a stepping stone to claw back gay rights in general
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
Defund.
Dismantle.
Prosecute.
Dismantle.
Prosecute.
January 27, 2026 at 3:03 AM
Defund.
Dismantle.
Prosecute.
Dismantle.
Prosecute.
Having abdicated the responsibility to do any REAL journalism, the NYT is now just trolling for hate clicks.
January 26, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Having abdicated the responsibility to do any REAL journalism, the NYT is now just trolling for hate clicks.
Time for the kidlit Oscars!!!
The annual announcement of the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards is the biggest event of the year in the world of children’s publishing. Join us Monday, January 26, at 10:00 AM CT for the livestream.
📺at ala.unikron.com or on the ALA Facebook page.
ilovelibraries.org/article/join...
📺at ala.unikron.com or on the ALA Facebook page.
ilovelibraries.org/article/join...
January 26, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Time for the kidlit Oscars!!!
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
Feel helpless? Want to do something to help the brave folks in Minnesota? If you're a writer, teacher, book club, there are great items to bid on here: www.32auctions.com/organization...
Publishing for Minnesota
Silent auction 'Publishing for Minnesota' hosted online at 32auctions.
www.32auctions.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Feel helpless? Want to do something to help the brave folks in Minnesota? If you're a writer, teacher, book club, there are great items to bid on here: www.32auctions.com/organization...
Thrilled that my eldest is continuing the family tradition of workplace chalkboard art!
January 23, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Thrilled that my eldest is continuing the family tradition of workplace chalkboard art!
Reposted by Melinda Beatty
For those outside the Twin Cities, the person posting this GoFundMe is a member of Minneapolis city council (and among the many locals doing absolutely heroic resistance to ICE), so it's legit.
Please help us bring Liam Adrian Cornejo Ramos (he’s only 5 years of age and is currently in pre-K. Yesterday, he and his father were kidnapped by ICE. This will help the family with legal services to help reunite Liam and his dad with their family.
gofund.me/be8a1b2ab
gofund.me/be8a1b2ab
Donate to Help Bring 5-Year-Old Liam Home, organized by sarai Orquiz
Liam Adrian Cornejo Ramos is just 5 years old and currently in pre-K. Yesterday, he and h… sarai Orquiz needs your support for Help Bring 5-Year-Old Liam Home
gofund.me
January 22, 2026 at 2:56 AM
For those outside the Twin Cities, the person posting this GoFundMe is a member of Minneapolis city council (and among the many locals doing absolutely heroic resistance to ICE), so it's legit.